We are pleased to offer a free download of the Beichtspiegel (confession mirror) published in The Brotherhood Prayer Book. A Beichtspiegel is a tool used for reflection and self-examination in preparation for private confession and absolution or for the Divine Service. The text was compiled in 2003 by Rev. Michael Frese and Dr. Benjamin Mayes, using resources from confessional pastors in both the LCMS and the SELK in Germany.
The season of Lent is a particular time of repentance for Christians. Ash Wednesday represents the beginning of a forty-day journey into the wilderness that ends with Jesus leading us into the promised land of heaven by His perfect death and sacrifice. In baptism, our Lord Jesus Christ began in us a living faith, and we return to the promise of our baptism every time we confess our sins and receive forgiveness. Thus the purpose of a Beichtspiegel is to help us reflect upon our individual sins and lead us to the soothing balm of the absolution. True repentance is both sorrow over sin and faith in Christ’s forgiveness.
A Beichtspiegel helps us to consider our sins according to the Ten Commandments. As stated in its introduction:
The Small Catechism urges us to consider our place in life according to the Ten Commandments. The Commandments act as a mirror to reflect our sinful thoughts, words, and deeds. This honest reflection, on account of God’s holy Word working in us, will bear the fruit of repentance. In private confession and absolution we repent before our pastor of those sins which we know and feel in our heart, and he, in turn, grants us Christ’s forgiveness individually.
Examining ourselves is not merely for the purpose of causing shame over our wretched sinfulness, but to focus us on the only source of comfort: Jesus. It is forgiveness that we Christians seek, not a perfect and exhaustive confession. Yet when we are able to better understand and articulate in what ways and how often we sin, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross becomes a necessary and most precious thing.
After confessing the guilt of our trespasses against the Ten Commandments, the Beichtspiegel then closes with a clear proclamation of Christ’s grace and mercy:
Do I believe that my sins are serious in the eyes of God and believe that Jesus Christ died for all of my sins and gives forgiveness to me through His Word and through the Sacraments?
If you believe this, my dear brother or sister in Christ, then come and unburden your conscience before your pastor who has been placed in the stead of Jesus for your comfort. Your confession does not need to be perfect, for the Absolution that Jesus gives is.
May your meditation upon Christ’s suffering and death be to you a consolation and source of strength this Lenten season.
**Through Lent, we are also offering a 20% off sale on The Brotherhood Prayer Book, the BPB Text Edition, and the accompanying CD with over 450 tracks of Gregorian chant. The Brotherhood Prayer Book includes the Beichtspiegel along with services for the day (Matins, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vepsers, and Compline), the entire Psalter, and daily propers.
